In the heart of St. Lucia, Rochelle Baptiste welcomed her first child, Reyhan Henry, on January 12, 2024 After 12 hours of labor and medical intervention due to hypertension, Reyhan was delivered with a Brachial plexus injury, a rare condition affecting the nerves connecting his neck to his arm. Rochelle’s joy as a new mother quickly mixed with concern.

Navigating uncertainty, Rochelle sought answers from local doctors and therapists. Despite repeated visits to hospitals in St. Lucia, clear answers were scarce. After visiting a private physician Rochelle learned her son needed specialized nerve surgery to regain movement of his arm.

“The physician informed me that when Reyhan was being delivered, his nerves were stretched from his spine to his neck, leading to immobility,” says Rochelle. “It was overwhelming not knowing what was wrong and then finding out how severe the problem was.”

With local resources limited, Rochelle and her family found hope through the World Pediatric Project, a program that connects families globally to expert pediatric surgeons in the United States.

“There was a team of doctors who came to St. Lucia to perform surgeries for children like Reyhan,” says Rochelle.

The World Pediatric Project recommended that the surgery should be done in St. Louis, Missouri, where advanced medical facilities could best address the complexity of Reyhan’s case.

In September 2024, Rochelle and Reyhan left their island home for St. Louis. With the support of the World Pediatric Project and Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis, they found comfort and support upon their arrival.

“It’s definitely a privilege,” says Rochelle. “I would have never known such a place existed to help people out, especially families who can’t afford it. It really feels like a home-away-from-home.”

Their time in St. Louis was filled with unexpected joys. Rochelle embraced the warmth of the RMHC St. Louis community, and enjoyed participating in holiday activities like Halloween trunk-or-treats and outings organized by the charity.

“Back home, we don’t celebrate Halloween like in the U.S.,” says Rochelle. “It was a really special experience for Reyhan to dress up. He enjoyed it. It’s moments like these that ease the anxiety of being far from family.”

Looking ahead, Rochelle knows that Reyhan’s journey to recovery will be long but with therapy and his unstoppable spirit, he will continue to conquer.

When they return to St. Lucia, Rochelle plans to spread awareness about RMHC St. Louis and the resources provided, to ensure other families facing similar challenges know they are not alone.

“I feel privileged to be part of the Ronald McDonald House Charities family and I want people to know about this amazing place,” says Rochelle. “They make you feel at home, even when you are miles away.”